Convective Interaction Media Research Articles

Optimization of rAAV capture step purification using SO3 monolith chromatography.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are crucial tools for gene therapy applications. As AAVs are administered in vivo, stringent purity requirements must be met, necessitating the development of various downstream processing strategies in accordance with regulatory guidelines. In this context, we focus on the non-affinity serotype-independent recombinant AAV (rAAV) capture step, which involves the use of Convective Interaction Media (CIM) cation-exchange SO3 monoliths. We analyzed differentially pretreated viral samples obtained from the Sf9 cell line and applied these samples to the capture SO3 chromatography step. We conducted screening experiments using CIM SO3 0.05mL monolithic 96-well plates with buffers of varying pH, sodium chloride concentrations, and the inclusion of poloxamer 188, aiming to select the optimal binding mobile phase. Dynamic binding capacity was defined for different pretreatments and the optimal conditions were subsequently retested using the industrial purification CIMmultus line. The results demonstrated a high overall vector recovery (51%) and a significant reduction in impurities (99.98% for protein reduction and 99.25% for DNA reduction) using the selected capture step parameters, thereby confirming the successful optimization of the rAAV capture step in the downstream process using monoliths.

CIM monolithic chromatography as a useful tool for endotoxin reduction and purification of bacteriophage particles supported with PAT analytics

Bacteriophages represent immense potential as therapeutic agents. Many of the most compelling applications of bacteriophages involve human therapy, some pertinent to gene therapy, others involving antibiotic replacement. Phages themselves are considered safe for humans. However, phage lysates may contain many kinds of harmful by-products, especially endotoxins of gram-negative bacteria and protein toxins produced by many pathogenic bacterial species. In bacteriophage research and therapy, most applications ask for highly purified phage suspensions, as such it is crucial to reduce proteins, endotoxins, DNA and other contaminants.In this article we present an efficient two-step chromatographic purification method for P. aeruginosa bacteriophage PP-01, using Convective Interaction Media (CIM®) monoliths, that is cGMP compliant and easy to scale-up for most stringent production of the therapeutic phage. First chromatographic step on CIMmultus OH resulted in 100% bacteriophage recovery with a reduction of 98 % protein and more than 99 % DNA content. Polishing was conducted using three different column options, CIMmultus with QA, H-Bond and PrimaS ligands. For PP-01 bacteriophage all three different options worked, but multimodal ligands H-Bond and PrimaS outperformed traditional QA in endotoxin removal (7 log step reduction). Additionally, an HPLC analytical method was developed to estimate phage concentration and impurity profile in different in-process samples. The HPLC method shows good correlation with drop assay titration, provides useful insights and can be run very fast with just 20 min per sample analysis.

Kinetics of interaction of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) with serum constituents and detection of Cr species in human serum at physiological concentration levels

A novel analytical method, based on monolithic convective interaction media (CIM) chromatography coupled to UV and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detectors, was developed to investigate the kinetics of interactions of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) with serum constituents, and perform Cr speciation at physiological concentration levels. Cr(VI) was separated from Cr-transferrin (Cr-Tf) and Cr-albumin (Cr-HSA) on a CIM diethylamino (DEAE) column using linear gradient elution from 100% buffer A (50 mM Tris-HCl + 10 mM NaHCO3, pH 7.4) to 60% buffer B (buffer A + 2 M NH4Cl) in 10 min at a flow rate of 1 mL min−1. Good column recovery of separated Cr species (close to 100%) and satisfactory method repeatability (RSDs below 8%) was obtained. Kinetics of interaction of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) with serum constituents were followed after human serum was doubly spiked with enriched 50Cr(VI) and 53Cr(III) solutions, and speciation analysis applied from 5 min up to 48 h after spiking. The results showed that in serum 53Cr(III) rapidly interacted with Tf, while 50Cr(VI) reduction was slow. 48 h after spiking, more than 90% of added 53Cr(III) was bound to Tf and the remaining 10% associated with HSA. About 20% of spiked 50Cr(VI) was still present in serum, while the resulting 50Cr(III) was bound predominantly to Tf. High sensitivity of the developed speciation procedure enabled detection of Cr-Tf complex as the main Cr species in human serum at physiological concentration levels. To the best of our knowledge, Cr-Tf concentrations in serum of unexposed individuals have not been reported yet.

Binding Kinetics of Ruthenium Pyrithione Chemotherapeutic Candidates to Human Serum Proteins Studied by HPLC-ICP-MS.

The development of ruthenium-based complexes for cancer treatment requires a variety of pharmacological studies, one of them being a drug’s binding kinetics to serum proteins. In this work, speciation analysis was used to study kinetics of ruthenium-based drug candidates with human serum proteins. Two ruthenium (Ru) complexes, namely [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(1-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thionato)Cl] (1) and [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(1-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thionato)pta]PF6 (2) (where pta = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), were selected. Before a kinetics study, their stability in relevant media was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Conjoint liquid chromatography (CLC) monolithic column, assembling convective interaction media (CIM) protein G and diethylamino (DEAE) disks, was used for separation of unbound Ru species from those bound to human serum transferrin (Tf), albumin (HSA) and immunoglobulins G (IgG). Eluted proteins were monitored by UV spectrometry (278 nm), while Ru species were quantified by post-column isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS). Binding kinetics of chlorido (1) and pta complex (2) to serum proteins was followed from 5 min up to 48 h after incubation with human serum. Both Ru complexes interacted mainly with HSA. Complex (1) exhibited faster and more extensive interaction with HSA than complex (2). The equilibrium concentration for complex (1) was obtained 6 h after incubation, when about 70% of compound was bound to HSA, 5% was associated with IgG, whereas 25% remained unbound. In contrast, the rate of interaction of complex (2) with HSA was much slower and less extensive and the equilibrium concentration was obtained 24 h after incubation, when about 50% of complex (2) was bound to HSA and 50% remained unbound.

Development and Characterization of PEGylated Chromatographic Monoliths as a Novel Platform for the Separation of PEGylated RNase a Isomers

PEGylated or polyethylene glycol-modified proteins have been used as therapeutic agents in different diseases. However, the major drawback in their procurement is the purification process to separate unreacted proteins and the PEGylated species. Several efforts have been done to separate PEGylation reactions by chromatography using different stationary phases and modified supports. In this context, this study presents the use of chromatographic monoliths modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to separate PEGylated Ribonuclease A (RNase A). To do this, Convective Interaction Media (CIM) Ethylenediamine (EDA) monolithic disks were PEGylated using three PEG molecular weights (1, 10, and 20 kDa). The PEGylated monoliths were used to separate PEGylated RNase A modified, as well, with three PEG molecular weights (5, 20, and 40 kDa) by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Performance results showed that Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) can bind to PEGylated monoliths and the amount of bound BSA increases when ammonium sulfate concentration and flow rate increase. Furthermore, when PEGylated RNase A was loaded into the PEGylated monoliths, PEG-PEG interactions predominated in the separation of the different PEGylated species (i.e., mono and di-PEGylated). It was also observed that the molecular weight of grafted PEG chains to the monolith impacts strongly in the operation resolution. Interestingly, it was possible to separate, for the first time, isomers of 40 kDa PEGylated RNase A by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. This technology, based on PEGylated monoliths, represents a new methodology to efficiently separate proteins and PEGylated proteins. Besides, it could be used to separate other PEGylated molecules of biopharmaceutical or biotechnological interest.

Monolithic chromatography on conjoint liquid chromatography columns for speciation of platinum-based chemotherapeutics in serum of cancer patients

BackgroundMonolithic chromatography using convective interaction media (CIM) disks or columns can be used in the separation step of speciation analysis. When different monolithic disks are placed in one housing, forming conjoint liquid chromatography (CLC) monolithic column, two-dimensional separation is achieved in a single chromatographic run. MethodsHere, we assembled low-pressure (maximum 50 bar) CLC monolithic column, which consists of two 0.34 mL shallow CIM monolithic disks and high-pressure CLC column (maximum 150 bar) from 0.1 mL analytical high performance short bed CIMac monolithic disks. Both the CLC columns constructed from affinity Protein G and weak anion exchange diethylamine (DEAE) disks, were applied for the speciation of cisplatin, oxaliplatin and carboplatin in spiked standard serum proteins, spiked human serum and serum of cancer patients. The analytical performances of the CLC columns used were evaluated by comparing their robustness, selectivity, repeatability and reproducibility. The separated serum proteins were detected on-line by ultraviolet (UV) and eluted Pt species by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For accurate quantification of the separated Pt species (unbound Pt-based chemotherapeutic from species associated to transferrin (Tf), human serum albumin (HSA) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG)), post column isotope dilution (ID)-ICP-MS was used. ResultsThe data from analyses showed that both tested CLC monolithic columns gave statistically comparable results, with the low-pressure CLC column exhibiting better resolving power and robustness. It also enables more effective cleaning of monolithic disks and to analyse larger series of serum samples than the high-pressure CLC column. Analyses of serum samples of cancer patients treated with cisplatin or carboplatin showed that Pt-chemotherapeutics were bound preferentially to HSA (around 80%). The portion of unbound Pt in general did not exceed 2%, up to 5% of Pt was associated with Tf and approximately 20% with IgG. Column recoveries, calculated as a ratio between the sum of concentrations of Pt species eluted and concentration of total Pt in serum samples, were close to 100%. ConclusionsLow-pressure CLC column exhibited greater potential than high-pressure CLC column, and can be thus recommended for its intended use in speciation analysis of metal-based biomolecules.

Application of steric exclusion chromatography on monoliths for separation and purification of RNA molecules

Steric exclusion chromatography (SXC) is a method for separation of large target solutes based on their association with a hydrophilic stationary phase through mutual steric exclusion of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Selectivity in SXC is determined by the size or shape (or both) of the solutes alongside the size and concentration of PEG molecules. Elution is achieved by decreasing the PEG concentration. In this study, SXC applicability for the separation and purification of single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) RNA molecules was evaluated for the first time. The retention of ssRNA and dsRNA molecules of different lengths on convective interaction media (CIM) monolithic columns was systematically studied under variable PEG-6000 and NaCl concentrations. We determined that over 90% of long ssRNAs (700–6374 nucleotides) and long dsRNAs (500–6374 base pairs) are retained on the stationary phase in 15% PEG-6000 and ≥0.4 M NaCl. dsDNA and dsRNA molecules of the same length were partially separated by SXC. Separation of RNA molecules below 100 nucleotides from longer RNA species is easily achieved by SXC. Furthermore, SXC has the potential to separate dsRNAs from ssRNAs of the same length. We also demonstrated that SXC is suitable for the enrichment of ssRNA (PRR1 bacteriophage) and dsRNA (Phi6 bacteriophage) viral genomes from contaminating cellular RNA species. In summary, SXC on CIM monolithic columns is an appropriate tool for rapid RNA separation and concentration.

Purification of Bacteriophages Using Anion-Exchange Chromatography.

In bacteriophage research and therapy, most applications ask for highly purified phage suspensions. The standard technique for this is ultracentrifugation using cesium chloride gradients. This technique is cumbersome, elaborate and expensive. Moreover, it is unsuitable for the purification of large quantities of phage suspensions.The protocol described here, uses anion-exchange chromatography to bind phages to a stationary phase. This is done using an FLPC system, combined with Convective Interaction Media (CIM®) monoliths. Afterward, the column is washed to remove impurities from the CIM® disk. By using a buffer solution with a high ionic strength, the phages are subsequently eluted from the column and collected. In this way phages can be efficiently purified and concentrated.This protocol can be used to determine the optimal buffers, stationary phase chemistry and elution conditions, as well as the maximal capacity and recovery of the columns.

A structure based plasma protein pre-fractionation using conjoint immobilized metal/chelate affinity (IMA) system.

The potential of immobilized metal/chelate affinity (IMA) in a continuous fashion, referred as conjoint approach, to pre-fractionate plasma proteins (in their native state) prior to LC-MS analysis was investigated in this study. Four transition metal-ions (Co (II), Zn (II), Ni (II) and Cu (II)) were individually chelated with IDA (iminodiacetic acid) coated CIM (Convective Interaction Media) disks and placed in a single housing in the following sequential order: IDA-Co (II)→IDA-Zn (II)→IDA-Ni (II)→IDA-Cu (II). The rationale behind this order is to retain proteins based on their specific requirement for surface exposed histidine topography. This structural pre-fractionation hypothesis was successfully proven using four human plasma proteins (fibrinogen, IgG, transferrin, and albumin) with varying histidine topographies. This conjoint IMA pre-fractionation strategy not only fractionated proteins (from plasma) based on their native surface histidine topography, but also identified 157 proteins from human plasma. The advantage of our conjoint IMA is its ability to fractionate proteins in their native state and reduce plasma complexity in a single step by employing single buffer system.

Towards automation in protein digestion: Development of a monolithic trypsin immobilized reactor for highly efficient on-line digestion and analysis

Reducing experimental variability, limiting contamination and increasing automation are essential goals in the development of reliable analytical platforms for mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics. In this work novel trypsin-based monolithic immobilized enzyme reactors (tryp-IMERs), obtained by covalent immobilization on convective interaction media (CIMac™) analytical columns (5mm×5.2mm I.D.), were developed. Notwithstanding the small dimensions, column format allowed the insertion in common high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, thus avoiding the use of expensive micro- or nano-platforms. Monolith pore diameter and surface chemistry were optimized to achieve high digestion efficiency even with high molecular weight proteins and to avoid protein/peptide adsorption, peak broadening and sample loss. A full characterization of the tryp-IMERs was undertaken to select the best protocol for preparation and type of trypsin. Optimization of the operational and storage conditions was carried out by an off-line approach. On-line studies were performed by setting a multidimensional analytical platform, which included the tryp-IMER, a trapping column, an analytical C4 column and a high resolution hybrid mass spectrometer (ESI-Q-TOF). In the optimized conditions rapid protein digestion (90±9s), high protein coverage (≥60%) and high score values were achieved for five selected sample proteins (cytochrome c, myoglobin and albumins from different sources) differing in molecular size, isoelectric point and accessibility to cleavage sites as well as for a protein mixture of 200ng. The best performing tryp-IMERs showed high sensitivity down to the pmole level. The platform also resulted suitable for the analysis of high-molecular weight proteins such as a pool of human immunoglobulins G (hIgG) and for the high molecular weight fraction of human plasma proteins, which were digested in less than two minutes to an extent similar to that achieved by overnight incubation in a classical in solution protocol. Finally, underestimated key procedural issues were also highlighted during the study. Such aspects are of general interest both for tryp-IMER users and tryp-IMER developers.

A novel scalable, robust downstream process for oncolytic rat parvovirus: isoelectric point-based elimination of empty particles

The rodent protoparvovirus H-1PV, with its oncolytic and oncosuppressive properties, is a promising anticancer agent currently under testing in clinical trials. This explains the current demand for a scalable, good manufacturing practice-compatible virus purification process yielding high-grade pure infectious particles and overcoming the limitations of the current system based on density gradient centrifugation. We describe here a scalable process offering high purity and recovery. Taking advantage of the isoelectric point difference between full and empty particles, it eliminates most empty particles. Full particles have a significantly higher cationic charge than empty ones, with an isoelectric point of 5.8–6.2 versus 6.3 (as determined by isoelectric focusing and chromatofocusing). Thanks to this difference, infectious full particles can be separated from empty particles and most protein impurities by Convective interaction media® diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) anion exchange chromatography: applying unpurified H-1PV to the column in 0.15 M NaCl leaves, the former on the column and the latter in the flow through. The full particles are then recovered by elution with 0.25 M NaCl. The whole large-scale purification process involves filtration, single-step DEAE anion exchange chromatography, buffer exchange by cross-flow filtration, and final formulation in Visipaque/Ringer solution. It results in 98% contaminating protein removal and 96% empty particle elimination. The final infectious particle concentration reaches 3.5E10 plaque forming units (PFU)/ml, with a specific activity of 6.8E11 PFU/mg protein. Overall recovery is over 40%. The newly established method is suitable for use in commercial production.

Enhanced detection of pathogenic enteric viruses in coastal marine environment by concentration using methacrylate monolithic chromatographic supports paired with quantitative PCR

Currently, around 50% of the world's population lives in towns and cities within 100 km of the coast. Monitoring of viruses that are frequently present in contaminated coastal environments, such as rotavirus (RoV) and norovirus (NoV), which are also the major cause of human viral gastroenteritis, is essential to ensure the safe use of these water bodies. Since exposure to as few as 10–100 particles of RoV or NoV may induce gastrointestinal disease, there is a need to develop a rapid and sensitive diagnostic method for their detection in coastal water samples. In this study, we evaluate the application of methacrylate monolithic chromatographic columns, commercially available as convective interaction media (CIM®), to concentrate pathogenic enteric viruses from saline water samples prior to virus quantification by one-step reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Using RoV and NoV as model enteric viruses, we present our results on the most effective viral concentration conditions from saline water matrices using butyl (C4) hydrophobic interaction monolithic support (CIM® C4). C4 monolithic columns exhibit a good capacity to bind both RoV and NoV and both viruses can be eluted in a single step. Our protocol using a 1 ml C4 column enables processing of 400 ml saline water samples in less than 60 min and increases the sensitivity of RoV and NoV detection by approximately 50-fold and 10-fold respectively. The protocol was also scaled up using larger capacity 8 ml C4 columns to process 4000 ml of seawater samples with concentration factors of 300-fold for RoV and 40-fold for NoV, without any significant increase in processing time. Furthermore, C4 monolithic columns were adapted for field use in an on-site application of RoV concentration from seawater samples with performance equivalent to that of the reference laboratory setup. Overall, the results from successful deployment of CIM C4 columns for concentration of rotavirus and norovirus in seawater samples reiterate the utility of monolithic supports as efficient, scalable and modular preparative tools for processing environmental water samples to enhance viral detection using molecular methods.

Separation of pegylated recombinant proteins and isoforms on CIM ion exchangers.

Protein pegylation is a process of covalent attachment of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) group to the protein tertiary structure that can "mask" the agent from the immune system and also increases the hydrodynamic size of the agent. Usually the pegylation prolongs the protein stability in the organism due to reduced renal clearance and provides superior water solubility to hydrophobic molecules. The mono-pegylated form of protein is usually prefered for medical applications. Different conditions with different PEG reagents have to be tested to find optimal pegylation procedure with specific protein. The goal of this study was to prepare screening method for separation of random mono-pegylated protein. Cytochrome C and beta lactoglobulin were pegylated with four reagents and a complete screening of several chromatographic monoliths in ion exchange mode with different buffers was performed to optimaly separate each mono-pegylated protein. The screening method was developed that produces optimal separation of target pegylated protein on CIM monoliths. Because of short chromatographic run time, CIM monoliths are perfect candidates to test alot of parameters. The results obtained show that each protein has its own unique separation parameters (pH, ionexchange ligand, buffer type). Two biopharmaceuticals were isolated using protocol: super human leptin antagonist (SHLA) was purified from inclusion bodies and mono-pegylated super mouse leptin antagonist (SMLA) from pegylated mixture. During study it was observed that the convective interaction media (CIM) monoliths additionally discriminate between protein isoforms pegylated on different sites in 3D structure of the protein.

CIM® monolith chromatography-enhanced ELISA detection of proteins in artists' paints: Ovalbumin as a case study

ELISA (Enzyme-linked ImmunoSorbent Assay), as one possible application of antibody-based methods, has proved to be a good candidate for the determination of proteins in works of art due to the low limit of detection, high sensitivity (in the nanogram range), specificity and micro invasiveness of required sampling. Despite the advantages of this method, interference by metal ions present in pigments, lipids, saccharides and in other components of paints, grounds, and varnishes may cause several problems for incontestable identification of proteins. To overcome the drawbacks of ELISA, a novel way to purify the extracted mixtures to predominantly protein fractions, by the DEAE-modified (weak anion exchange) CIM® (Convective Interaction Media) chromatographic monoliths was introduced. Utilisation of monolithic chromatographic supports greatly enhanced the ELISA detection of ovalbumin in the model paint samples (aged and non-aged), for at least one tenfold dilution of a sample. In several cases the purification enabled detection of the target protein, otherwise not possible with non-purified samples. For the first time in the field of Cultural Heritage, the combined approach of ELISA and CIM® monolith-supported extraction was successfully tested also for the detection of protein in real-case paint layers.

Specific features of using ultrashort monolithic columns for analysis of biologically active synthetic polymers labeled with radioactive metal isotopes (99mTc, 161Tb, 68Ga)

A fast and efficient method of separation of radioactive metal isotopes (99mTc, 161Tb, 68Ga) and synthetic biologically active water-soluble copolymers of the class of N-vinylamides is developed using HPLC on ultrashort monolithic CIM (Convective Interaction Media) columns at the interface. It is shown that, under conditions of elution in aqueous media, the polymers are not separable by molecular weights and structures, but they are well-separable from metal ions. Radioactivity sorption on monolithic sorbents is insignificant, allowing series of experiments to be expressively performed for an optimization of conditions of radiochemical synthesis and routine analysis of radiopharmaceutical preparations.

Sample displacement chromatography of plasmid DNA isoforms

Sample displacement chromatography (SDC) is a chromatographic technique that utilises different relative binding affinities of components in a sample mixture and has been widely studied in the context of peptide and protein purification. Here, we report a use of SDC to separate plasmid DNA (pDNA) isoforms under overloading conditions, where supercoiled (sc) isoform acts as a displacer of open circular (oc) or linear isoform. Since displacement is more efficient when mass transfer between stationary and mobile chromatographic phases is not limited by diffusion, we investigated convective interaction media (CIM) monoliths as stationary phases for pDNA isoform separation. CIM monoliths with different hydrophobicities and thus different binding affinities for pDNA (CIM C4 HLD, CIM-histamine and CIM-pyridine) were tested under hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) conditions. SD efficiency for pDNA isoform separation was shown to be dependent on column selectivity for individual isoform, column efficiency and on ammonium sulfate (AS) concentration in loading buffer (binding strength). SD and negative mode elution often operate in parallel, therefore negative mode elution additionally influences the efficiency of the overall purification process. Optimisation of chromatographic conditions achieved 98% sc pDNA homogeneity and a dynamic binding capacity of over 1mg/mL at a relatively low concentration of AS. SDC was successfully implemented for the enrichment of sc pDNA for plasmid vectors of different sizes, and for separation of linear and and sc isoforms, independently of oc:sc isoform ratio, and flow-rate used. This study therefore identifies SDC as a promising new approach to large-scale pDNA purification, which is compatible with continuous, multicolumn chromatography systems, and could therefore be used to increase productivity of pDNA production in the future.

Experimental characterization of the transport phenomena, adsorption, and elution in a protein A affinity monolithic medium

A commercially available convective interaction media (CIM) Protein A monolithic column was fully characterized in view of its application for the affinity capture of IgG in monoclonal antibody production processes. By means of moment analysis, the interstitial porosity and axial dispersion coefficient were determined. The frontal analysis method of characteristic points was employed, for the first time with monolithic media, to determine the dynamic binding capacity. The effects of the flow rate and pH on the total recovery of polyclonal IgG and elution profile were evaluated. A comparison with literature data for Protein A chromatography beads demonstrate the superior bed utilization of monolithic media, which gave better performance at lower residence times.

Preparation of pure, high titer, pseudoinfectious Flavivirus particles by hollow fiber tangential flow filtration and anion exchange chromatography

Purification of enveloped viruses such as live flavivirus vaccine candidates poses a challenge as one must retain viral infectivity to preserve immunogenicity. Here we describe a laboratory-scale purification procedure for two replication defective (single-cycle) flavivirus variants for use in a pre-clinical setting. The two step purification scheme based on hollow fiber tangential flow filtration (TFF) followed by anion exchange chromatography using convective interaction media (CIM®) monoliths results in a ∼60% recovery of infectious virus titer and can be used to prepare nearly homogenous, highly purified vaccine viruses with titers as high as 1×109 focus forming units per mL. Flavivirus virions prepared by this method are 2 and 3 orders of magnitude more pure with respect to dsDNA and BHK host cell proteins, respectively, as compared to the raw feed stream.

Separation of human immunoglobulin G subclasses on a protein A monolith column.

Monolithic columns have attracted significant attention for the purification of large biomolecules. In the present study, a step gradient elution method was evaluated for the separation of human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) into its subclasses on CIM (convective interaction media) r-protein A (recombinant protein A) monolithic column. hIgG was loaded onto the column and bound protein was eluted with a pH gradient. The subclass content of the eluted fractions was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that separation of IgG3 from the other three subclasses can be successfully achieved with high selectivity (100%) and throughput on monolithic media. It was also revealed that enriched fractions of IgG1 and IgG2 could be obtained from purified hIgG in a 28min long chromatographic run. Three fractions with high IgG1 content (89.1%, 94.3% and 88.8%) were recovered. Furthermore, IgG2 was enriched to 64% successfully. A rapid step gradient elution scheme without any additives in buffers was proven to obtain enriched preparations of the two important subclasses with high throughput. The separation time can be reduced even more by increasing the flow rate without any loss in selectivity, which will be beneficial in industrial scale applications.

Affinity selection of histidine-containing peptides using metal chelate methacrylate monolithic disk for targeted LC–MS/MS approach in high-throughput proteomics

In recent years, bottom-up approach has become the popular method of choice for large scale analysis of complex proteome samples. Peptide fractionation determines the efficiency of the bottom-up method and often the resolving power of reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) is insufficient for efficient protein identification in case of complex biological samples. To overcome the inherent limitation of proteomics associated with sample complexity, we evaluated fast flow metal chelate methacrylate monolithic system - CIM (Convective Interaction Media) disk chelated with Cu(II) for targeted affinity selection of histidine-containing peptides. Initially the Cu(II)-IMAC using CIM disk was evaluated using tryptic digest of protein mixtures of 8 model proteins and was found to be highly efficient in capturing His-containing peptides with high degree of specificity and selectivity. Further the efficiency of His-peptide enrichment using CIM-IMAC was also demonstrated using complex biological samples like total Escherichia coli cell lysate. The analysis of the Cu(II)-IMAC retained peptides from tryptic digests of model protein mixture and E. coli not only demonstrated a significant reduction in sample complexity but also subsequently enabled the identification of additional peptides. His-peptide enrichment also enabled the identification of low abundant proteins that were not detected in the analysis of total E. coli digest.